Fort Road Spotlight

https://www.stepwisecoffee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stepwisecoffee

Area 3 Coordinator Tanya Beck had a chat with the folks from Stepwise Coffee. Stepwise,

owned by Dalton and Kelli Jones, is in the tiny storefront at 893 Randolph Ave., which

you may recall as the old baseball card store. Don’t be surprised by a line, and use it to

soak up the bright, beautiful space. Maybe start up a conversation. Stepwise offers a

succinct menu of excellent coffee drinks and tea, as well as beans roasted by Dalton. The

shop is open on Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

How long have you operated your business in the W 7th neighborhood?

The shop opened in March 2022. Prior to that, after several years in importing, roasting, and tasting coffee, we started selling coffee at farmers’ markets. At markets, there were a lot of variables to navigate, including weather and finding markets that had space for non-locally grown products. We realized that these events were taking up our whole weekend and started considering opening something of our own. We found our current space after visiting a smaller space next door. That space was too small, but this one worked. We worked evenings and weekends for a couple of months to get the space ready, with help from neighbors in the trades. Before the shop opened, I worked for Roundtable Coffee Works (2386 W Territorial Rd, St. Paul, MN 55114), and Shawn, the owner, was supportive and helpful as we started our new business.

What brought you to W 7th?

We have friends in the neighborhood and spend a lot of time here. We go to Brake Bread (1174 W. 7th St.) and often bike down to Crosby Farm Regional Park (2595 Crosby Farm Rd). We also have friends who attend Awaken Community (506 View St.). In 2021, we looked for a house in the neighborhood, but the competition was intense, with cash offers and bidding wars. We are now living in Midway. Finding a place in the neighborhood to start a business was more approachable than other St. Paul neighborhoods. It’s more affordable but still has retail and restaurants, making it possible to have a business right in the middle of a neighborhood.

What do you love about owning a business in the W 7th neighborhood?

Owning a coffee shop is especially rewarding. I’ve met customers who have become friends. Watching neighbors meet as strangers and later come in together is wonderful. Neighbors who may not have had a reason to connect now meet in line at the shop and have time to connect.

What is something your business does that you are really proud of?

There’s a lot about coffee that people don’t understand. We care about where it comes from, how it’s roasted, and how it’s prepared, and we’re proud to share these priorities with our customers.

What's something W 7th neighbors may not know about the business?

People may not realize how community-focused we are, especially since we’re only open on weekends. Our weekend hours are intentional; being open on the weekend means we catch people when they tend to have downtime and aren’t just rushing to get their coffee and go. We also tend to get folks who live nearby. People can take their time, bring a blanket, and enjoy their coffee in the side yard.

Do you have a favorite item you sell?

Beans. I put a lot of care into sourcing and roasting the beans. We focus on the raw product, working with Trabocca to import quality, ethical, and sustainable beans. We share roasting space through an agreement with another metro-area roaster.

To learn more visit: https://www.stepwisecoffee.com/ or better yet, stop into the shop this weekend. 

https://whitesquirrelbar.com/

https://www.instagram.com/whitesquirrelbar/

Area III Coordinator Tanya Beck had a conversation with Jarret Oulman about his family’s

business, The White Squirrel. The small but mighty bar and music venue is located in the

transformed Fort Road Fed house at 974 West 7th Street. They are open 3pm-2am Monday-

Friday and 12pm-2am Saturday and Sunday. https://whitesquirrelbar.com/

Jarret also operates the 331 Club (331club.com) in NE Minneapolis and Amsterdam Bar and

Hall (amsterdambarandhall.com) in Downtown St. Paul.

How long have you lived / operated your business in the W 7th neighborhood? 

I have lived in the neighborhood since 2012, when I moved to be closer to a new venture I was opening downtown: the Amsterdam Bar and Hall. In 2021 with The White Squirrel, I wanted to open a small neighborhood place, doing the things I do in my neighborhood. I wanted a location between Randolph and Jefferson with a patio and a little parking. The process was long and somewhat tedious, but folks were supportive along the way and Covid, strangely, provided more time and less pressure for the process.

What is something your business does that you are really proud of? 

Build community. People meet and socialize and collaborate and bring ideas to the White Squirrel. We have outdoor yoga, chess and game night, and vintage pop up sales. It’s a venue bar. We host local music and make space for collaborations, people connecting. Being the place where that happens is what I’m proud of.

What do you love about living/owning a business in the neighborhood? 

People. The identity and authenticity of individual people who live here. I love that the buildings and the people are unique. There are new and old. It is different than a neighborhood where everyone’s house looks the same. The people are different. The conversations are different. People tell you the story of their house, you tell the story of your house. It is walkable and close to downtown. Coming from NE Minneapolis, W7th has some elements that were familiar. I felt like I understood W7 before moved here. And, houses are cheaper, so I could get more house as we started a family.

What I did at other places before 2021 in this neighborhood did not engage with the community in the same way. In part because I know people that come in – from the grocery store, parents of kids from my kids school. That can make it complicated too, selling alcohol to your neighbors means you can see a different side of people.

What is a favorite  event that you host? 

Saturday Patio Music series, and this month we have Angry Line Cook (theangrylinecookfoodtruck.com) pop up burgers Tues/Wed/Thus 4-9pm.

What is the story of claiming the White Squirrel moniker? 

The identity of the place was supposed to speak to the neighborhood from the inside. IYKYK kind of thing. It gives people the feeling of being in the know. The exclusivity is just a sense of identity with community. Someone from out of town wouldn’t know. The aesthetic is small, woodsy campground with kitschy knick knackery of white squirrels. We are playful with it and other people can engage with it, have fun with it. Musicians have a great time engaging with it with their show posters. It is ambiguous, not restrictive and can be developed by the people that engage with it.

What business were you saddest to see close in the neighborhood? 

Coopers. The quality of my lifestyle has regressed as Coopers has closed. I miss it. The same things I value in my business, I value about the people at Coopers. I’m excited to have convenient grocery back in the neighborhood, and I’m excited to see how the new owners of the space are able to do that.

What’s a point of interest in West 7th that you are sure to share with visitors? 

I like Waldmann [Brewery and Wurstery] (445 Smith Ave N). Great patio. Food is good. Beer is good. Feels like you’re in a museum.

Who do you think we should speak with next? 

Tavial for sure (1199 W. 7th St). I like the people. I eat lunch there twice a week.

For upcoming events: https://whitesquirrelbar.com/#events. And with recent labeling law

changes check out the Hibiscus Peach Tea Cosmic Squirrel (THC) on tap.

https://www.stpaulguitarrepair.com/

https://www.facebook.com/stpaulguitarrepair/

Exceptional stringed instrument repair & handmade guitars.  

Tanya Beck, Area III Coordinator, had a conversation with Michele Beardsley and Ron Tracy,

who own and operate St. Paul Guitar. Between the two of them, they have 80 years of

experience with guitars. They have done work for local legend and former Executive Director of

the Federation, Mary Cutrufello, as well as multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor.

St. Paul Guitar Repair has an exceptional reputation for building, repairing, and beautifying

guitars. Ron builds electric and acoustic guitars, while Michele specializes in steel lap guitars. The shop is located at 1101 7th Street West.

How long has your business been a part of the W 7th neighborhood?

We have been here about 8 years, but it took about 6 months to prepare to open.

What brought you to W 7th?

We were not very familiar with W. 7th but had driven through it. It seemed kind of artsy. The lease was affordable, and we wanted to position ourselves to be accessible to musicians and the music scene in both St Paul and Minneapolis. It also happens to be central to where we live.

What is something your business does that you are proud of?

We set out to be the best, not the biggest. We are a small business with a great reputation locally and nationally. We treat everyone as if they were our only customer.

What do you love about owning a business in the neighborhood?

We like the neighborhood. It has great places to eat and great businesses like Brake Bread, Summit, and White Squirrel for live music. It is unpretentious.

Do you have a favorite thing you do?

We are passionate about building and customizing guitars. We like the challenge of working on all fretted instruments including ethnic instruments and creating custom inlays.

How do you show up for your community?

We keep musicians up and running behind the scenes, from little kids to stars. We also support a couple of community radio stations, KFAI and KBEM, because music is the food of the soul.

What's something the W 7th neighbors may not know about you/the business?

We have done work for Paisley Park/Prince, Mary Cutrufello, Willie Murphy, Billy McLaughlin, Jonatha Brooke, and Stanley Jordan. Local shops send us referral work because they like the quality of our work.

What West 7th business should we contact next? 

Tavial Grill or White Squirrel

You can learn more about what St. Paul Guitar does, as well as check out some fascinating step-by-step repair case studies at http://www.stpaulguitarrepair.com.

https://www.brakebread.com/

@brakebread

Brake Bread is a community supporting bakery. 

Tanya Beck, Area III Coordinator had a conversation with Nate Houge, who together with Micah

Taylor, owns Brake Bread. Brake Bread has been at 1174 W. 7th Street for just over 8 years.

The BB bike and cart was a regular sight in all parts of St. Paul until recently when they

suspended bike delivery to focus on other parts of their business. Rain or shine, a line should be

expected, but it is a good opportunity to connect with your neighbors! Watch for new, expanded

hours start the week of July 24.

How long have you operated your business in the W 7th neighborhood?

Micah and I own Brake Bread. We both live in the neighborhood. For the first 2 years

bread was baked at a commercial kitchen in East St. Paul and delivered by bike. When

it was time to open our bricks and mortar we were able to lease our current space from

our neighbors Dan and MaryJo Bjornson. They’re great landlords and they care about

the building and the neighborhood which is good for all of us.

What brought you to West 7th?

My wife and I bought our first house on Juno in ’99. When we bought our second home it

was all the way across the alley from the first. My wife is from a small town and being

dropped in W. 7th folks almost wouldn’t know they aren’t in a small town.

What do you love about living/owning a business in the neighborhood? 

Community support is phenomenal. People know each other. I have thought of this neighborhood as

people that appreciate hard work and creative work.  I learned recently through census

records that my great grandfather lived on W. 7th Street in the 1920’s. My grandpa also

lived in St. Paul and worked at the Ford factory. In St. Paul we will work hard, we can do

hard things.

What is something your business does that you are proud of? 

Home delivery by bike for 10 years. It got us started, got us through Covid, but is a complicated way to distribute. Also, in the last 4-5 years we have moved to using almost all Minnesota grown wheat

grown by regenerative farming methods. We know the folks that are doing the work,

from the person harvesting and milling, to the baker to the neighbor.

How do you show up for your community? 

We do a loaf share. Folks can bread it forward and leave it for someone unable to pay. We make donations of day old bread and fresh bread. Starting July 24th we will increase hours to Wednesday through

Sunday, 8am-1pm. Wednesdays will be pay what you can. Not sure if bartering for bread will come back, but that brought some fun trades.

What  are the customer favorites at Brake Bread?

Our Batard du Nord, A sweet, simple loaf made with fresh wheat. Seeded Sandwich Loaf, a recipe suggested by a customer. Classic Cruiser is popular, too.

What business were you saddest to see close in the neighborhood? What opportunities

do you see for businesses in the neighborhood that might complement what we have?

Rudy’s Vault (now Phi Chay Thai -967 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102) was the smoky coffee shop back in the day- a late

night coffee shop might be nice. Also more café style spots might be nice- something

with sandwiches. Maybe a cheese shop!

What’s a point of interest in West 7th that you are sure to share with visitors? 

Our friends tease us because we don’t get out of the neighborhood very often and stay close. Love

going down to the farmer’s market, biking along the river. It’s amazing how you can bike really anywhere  without a lot of time on streets. I don’t get out late much any more but White Squirrel has great music.

Who do you think we should speak with next? 

St. Paul Guitars (1107 W. 7 th ). Ron Tracy & Michele Beardsley’s shop provide top notch builds and repairs of guitars and lap steel guitars.

***Be sure to stop by, say hi, and pick up a loaf of bread or yummy baked good - you won't regret it. 

For more information about Brake Bread, visit: https://www.brakebread.com/

https://wildflyercoffee.com/

@wildflyercoffee

Our Mission

To create employment opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability through the cultivation of life skills and personal empowerment.

Area 3 Coordinator Tanya Beck had a conversation with Carley Kammerer, Executive

Director and founder of Wildflyer Coffee about the shop and their work after more than a

year of operating in the previous Fresh Grounds space. Carley Kammerer is a social

worker who worked as an Outreach Worker and Youth Advocate before opening

Wildflyer Coffee.

How long have you operated your business in the W 7th neighborhood?

Wildflyer opened in 2017. We started as a coffee cart at farmers markets until we

opened our shop in Minneapolis in December 2020 (3262 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

55406). The West 7th Shop opened in March 2023.

What brought you to West 7th?

The Executive Director of RS Eden reached out and asked if we were interested in

taking over the spot from Fresh Grounds to continue our mission driven work in the

space. We were not looking to expand, but the space was set up for a coffee shop and

the relationship to the attached housing made sense with our mission.

What is something your business does that you are really proud of?

Our mission is: To create employment opportunities for youth experiencing

homelessness and housing instability through the cultivation of life skills and personal

empowerment. Our mission driven work supporting youth is what we makes us most

proud. Seeing youth graduating the program feeling connected and valued and know

they have a safe space here.

What do you love about operating a business in the neighborhood?

People view us as their coffee shop. People were excited for us to move in. The guys

from the barber shop (Barber Mug 1364 7th St. W.) all came over and brought a bouquet

of flowers to our soft opening. It’s a kind neighborhood.

What is your go-to order at the shop?

Probably our Longfellow Latte! It's a crowd favorite.

How do you show up for your community? 

Service to community is embedded in our mission to help youth establish stable

employment, housing, and get their basic needs met. We also provide a space for the

sober community to gather (look for sober happy hour to restart later this year). We are

planning a Narcan training soon that will be open to the community. We also try to work

with local vendors including Brake Bread (1174 7th St. W.) for our products. We are

hoping to participate in National Night Out this year, too.

What else would you like us to know about Wildflyer?

In addition to youth employment training and the shops, we have an online store and a

subscription based coffee service (wildflyercoffee.com/onlineordering) Also, we are also

hosting our annual fundraiser on June 26, 5-8pm at our Minneapolis shop.

***For more information on other ways to contribute to Wildflyer’s mission visit

wildflyercoffee.com/donate